Red tide rose to "high” levels this week only in Brevard, Indian River, and St. Lucie counties, according to the latest water sampling by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Tests this week found "high" levels of red tide at Surf Road in Melbourne Beach (sample on Oct. 22) and in the Indian River Lagoon at Long Point Park Park, near Sebastian Inlet (sample on Oct. 23).

The toxic algae hit “medium” concentrations this week in these same general areas but extended farther south to Martin County, FWC said in its Oct. 24 update.

In all, red tide has spread along most of Florida's east coast, from Volusia to Miami-Dade counties. “Relative to last week, red tide concentrations increased in parts of Brevard, St. Lucie and Martin counties and decreased in most of Broward County," FWC's update said.

Original story:

Despite countless dead fish washing in this week from Titusville to Melbourne Beach, the most recent red tide sampling shows the toxic algae easing up — slightly — on the Space Coast.

But recent water sampling shows the organism that causes red tide was not diminished by Hurricane Michael. That could continue to cause fish kills and respiratory symptoms at Brevard County beaches in the weeks ahead, marine biologists warn, by providing more of the algae to swing around the state to replenish red tide here.

Hundreds of dead fish – mostly mullet – also washed up along the shoreline of Indialantic on Wednesday, just days after a lingering red tide algae bloom led to another fish kill off of Cocoa Beach.

And the effects of red tide, including the peppery irritant that left the few visitors on the beach with coughing fits, left clusters of fish carcasses scattered from Melbourne Beach to Satellite Beach.

Indialantic public works crews used large equipment to scoop up mounds of the rotting fish resting along the seaweed line. There were few visitors out along the Indialantic Boardwalk and Seashore, which typically is crowded with beachgoers. Businesses were open and had a steady stream of customers, including a pizzeria and other restaurants.

Antonio Munoz, 38, had just pulled up about 11:30 a.m. to have lunch with an ocean view on the boardwalk. Within moments, he noticed the slight throat tickle brought on by the red tide.

“What’s the deal,” Munoz asked, “It smells like dead fish.”

Looking past the dune and out to the sea, Munoz talked about watching the news about the red tide. “Whatever the source, it needs to be controlled,” he said.

Despite Wednesday's fish fallout, this week's water sampling by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission showed at least the potential for a temporary respite from red tide's onslaught.

Ocean water samples taken Monday at Cocoa Beach Pier and Cherie Down Park showed no red tide present of less than 1,000 algae cells per liter — considered background levels. Last week, that area measured at high concentrations of red tide.

Samples drawn Monday at Pelican Beach Park in Satellite Beach measured at medium levels, between 100,000 and 1 million cells per liter, a drop from last week, when it measured higher than 1 million cells per liter there.

Spessard Holland Park, Coconut Point Park and Juan Ponce de Leon Landing in southern Brevard County also measured at medium levels of red tide Monday.

The water sampling results typically lag by a few days. So the state sometimes announces low or no red tide levels on the same days that dead fish are washing in from more recently high red tide levels. Or the dead fish are transported from areas where red tide is high, but wash up on beaches where samples show low levels. The algae tends to bloom in patches, so levels can vary drastically from beach to beach.

Find out what seafood is safe to eat and what is not during a red tide bloom. GINNY BEAGAN/TCPALM
Wochit

Waymer is environmental reporter at FLORIDA TODAY.

Contact Waymer at 321-242-3663

or jwaymer@floridatoday.com

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To report a fish kill, call FWC'S Fish Kill Hotline AT 1-800-636-0511

Latest Red Tide Status Report Available by Phone
Call 866-300-9399 at any time from anywhere in Florida to hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state. Callers outside of Florida can dial 727-552-2448. Standard calling charges apply.